Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-06-11

nuni.h fhemr This question should
IS fairly and frankly answered. When, By
the detection Of Andrew johnson, the south
va encouraged 70 commence tho policy Of
Intimidation. the republican party Was ut-
terlv helpless to resist il. II was during his
administration and with the sympathy Of
the democratic party, that tho massacre Of
colored people in New Orleans, and riots and
occurred, and, especially, the organisation
and the cruel and brutal work Of the Ku
Klux Khan. and other secret eath-bound a.
sociations took place. 1t was under tho
shadow Of these tragic events that the cleo.
ton of 1868 occurred. It was to defeat
General Grant that the two wings Of the
democratic party tapped together, enc led
BY Boes Tweed, of New York, and his cleo
ton forgers and dead beats, tho other By
the Ku Klux Klans. In spite Of all this,
however. General Grant was elected preei-
dent of the United States. It was then the
republican party in congress proposed the
fifteenth amendment, which, It was believed,
would secure TO the colored man the protec-
ton OF the ballot and the power of self de-
Tense. The result is we'll known. This
constitutional provision is openly nullified.
Colored men were deprived of the right to
vote in counties, districts and states where
the vote could change the result. II intimi-
dation was necessary it was resorted to, even
to the extent of murder. # cheating, or
forged returns, or tissue ballots, or numer-
ous boxes to deceive and entrap the ignor-
ant, or the destruction of the boxes, or tho
refusal of the judges to serve-vhatever
tricks or means were necessary to defeat the
right of the republican voter were resort
ed to. :,
| tions of the constitution, see no remedy. 1t
was proposed by the republican, in congress
to pass bill called the Force bill, intended
to arm the executive authorities with ample
power to defend the colored people against
bill should have passed, but the strong feel
| ing of repugnance against such legislation
| in the north, led many leading republicans
| to vote to delay, postpone, and finally to DC
feat it. But General Grant, under existing
law, did commence and prosecute with dill
Rence and effect some of the worst cases,
especially in South Carolina, where the Or
fully disclosed by judicial testimony 90 clear
that even the Hon. Reverdy johnson, the
the attorney for the defendants. said:
II have listened with unmix ed horror to
some of the testimony which has been
brought before you. The outrages proved
are shocking to humanity; they admit OF
neither excuse or justification; they violate
every obligation which law ana ne! nature rem, I'm,
engaged were brutes, insensible to the obi
cations of humanity and religion"
Some convictions were had and some
punishment inflicted, but, upon the promise
that this system of terror and crime would
not be renewed, the prisoners were in Que
time pardoned. This was not the end OF IT.
General Grant was reelected, ma soon
after. crimes and violence were renewed
aoainst republicans, both white and black,
in all the cotton states. In 1875 the house
of representatives had become Democratic
and in the same year, what is known as the
Mississippi plan was adopted, and the re-
publican vote of the state was absolutely
suppressed. And again in the presidential
election of 1876 the offenses we're 30 revolt
ing as to justify the returning boards II
several states, under the laws of those states
excluding the votes of number of coun
ties, parishes and districts.
Since 1875 the republican party did not
possess the power to pass any law Tor the
protection of life or property in the south
and the democratic party would not. 1t car
be truly said that every atrocity, every 20
litical crime, violence or wrong IN the south
was committed by democrats. and the dem
ocratic party uniformly refused TO examine
prevent or punish in any case any OF thes'
crimes.
I therefore claim for the republican party
that while it has not been able to proteC
the colored people of the south In the enjoy
ment of civil rights, or to guard them b!
military force from gross wrongs and op
preston by the dominant aud controlling
physical force of the south acting in tn
anne and in the interest of the democratic
party. yet that it has done all that it coult
lawfully do, within the limits of the power
given by the constitution, and the laws, Il
defend all classes of people without rAgar'
to race, condition or creed. If it has falle'
in any particular it has been because it wa
prevented by the policy and power OF til
democratic party, armed with state author
ity.
the second rebellion of the democrats part
is q success. Republ!canism has bee
stamped out in the south. Organized an
, disc plined force, with social ostracism, pre-
/ vent in many states all free discussion. an
|. all remonstrance from white republicans
while the freedmen are held in baser sub
lection by the prejudice of race and by til
want of arms and organization, the inherit
, ance of slavery. This condition of affairs
, now hopefully changing. The time ha
,, come, when in many of the southern states
, and especially in counties where q majorit
!; of the population is white, these wrongs an
outrages can no longer be inflicted, and th
, time will come when even in the black bel
! Of the south, the intelligence, education an
, organization of the people will enable theI
I to maintain their rights.
But they are not utterly helpless. III
? power to migrate wherever injustice is ur
, endurable should be exercised by every ma
, who feels oppressed. It should DO organ
7 zed by every community that is wrongei
encouraged by all lawful means, and thi
:. will, in my judgement, be the most poten
3 right that capital exercises for its own PFC
J lection; it is the same right which every d
!. boring man in the north enjoys; it is th
: same right by which our fathers Of ever
Z nation in Europe, by migrating to thi
8 country, secured the blessings of liberty TO
themselves and their posterity; it is the fir
and most powerful right Of freemen, NOR
. potent than violence and more certain tina
|. force.
I'll 0na dr%x, T xb;nb kho .oonhI;oov var&v ha